Photo By Maj. Chelsea Kersten | 61st Medical Squadron dental assistant U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jessika Silva is...... read more read more
61st Medical Squadron dental assistant U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jessika Silva is grateful to be serving at the Guam Wellness Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission as the Dental Section Noncommissioned Officer in Charge at the Calvo Field House, University of Guam, Aug 2-10.
This is Silva’s first IRT mission. As to what she thinks about the medical mission thus far, she stated, “it has been very rewarding. During this mission I discovered my calling is working with kids. It's very humbling and rewarding to be able to help them.”
Looking at her positivity now, you would never know she went through substantial adversity to get to where she is in life now. Born in Mexico, her family came to the United States when she was three years old, settling in Salinas, California.
Speaking of her early struggles, she noted, “I grew up in a small agricultural town. We didn’t get our green card until I was 12 or 13, so my parents kept me very sheltered because they didn’t want us to get deported. My dad went back to Mexico when I was around 21 and we have been trying to legally get him back to live with us since then.”
She is still close with her father, as he continues his pursuit for U.S. citizenship in order to join his family. She is also close with her family in California. Her older brother served in the U.S Army and her younger brother is currently serving in the Air Force security forces.
Her parents are very proud of her military service, but that was not always the case. At first, they were hesitant about her joining the military, but now, she states, “…they are super proud of me, I made a complete 180 from where I started to where I am at now. I lost my scholarship in college due to grades, and I had to pay that money back. I needed to get my life together and change directions... I joined the military to steer my life in a better direction and I fell in love with what I do every single day.”
Silva joined the Air Force in July 2012 and following basic training, trained at Fort Sam Houston, Texas to become a dental assistant. She was then stationed in Arizona at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, followed by Okinawa for four years. She currently serves at the 61st Medical Squadron at the Los Angeles Air Force Base.
“I love dental. The people I work with, we have a great relationship. It is very rewarding to get people out of pain or see their confidence boost when you do something with their smile,” noted Silva.
Silva accomplished much during her 11-year Air Force career. During Airman Leadership School, she was selected by her 150 peer soldiers for the Commandant Award, due to her leadership, and won a few other awards along the way.
Silva’s plans include applying to dental school. Over the last several years, she worked on her bachelor's degree and next year, will apply to dental school using the Health Promotions Scholarship Program. After dental school, she plans to specialize in pediatric dentistry.
As to why Silva wants to stay in the Air Force and become a dentist, she states, “I really enjoy the job itself and the military. I like the comradery that we have. The Air Force has been very good to me and has blessed me with many great opportunities such as this one.”
Guam Wellness IRT is a joint multicomponent and interagency program with the Department of Defense and the Department of Public Health and Social Services that leverages military contributions and community resources to multiply value and cost savings for participants. The Guam IRT provides no cost healthcare services, ranging from medical, dental, optometry, and immunizations, to the communities of Guam, Aug. 2-10, 2023. (U.S. Army Reserve Photo by Maj. Chelsea Kersten)
| Date Taken: | 08.10.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 08.16.2023 22:03 |
| Story ID: | 451254 |
| Location: | GU |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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